Atom interferometry with Bose-Einstein condensates in a double-well potential

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a trapped-atom interferometer using Bose-Einstein condensates split into a double-well potential, showing coherent phase evolution and control via Stark shifts, advancing precision measurement techniques.

Contribution

It introduces a method to coherently split Bose-Einstein condensates in a double-well potential and measures phase evolution with high control, a novel approach in atom interferometry.

Findings

Coherent phase evolution observed for condensates separated by 13 μm for up to 5 ms

Phase control achieved through ac Stark shift potentials

Interference pattern used to determine relative phase

Abstract

A trapped-atom interferometer was demonstrated using gaseous Bose-Einstein condensates coherently split by deforming an optical single-well potential into a double-well potential. The relative phase between the two condensates was determined from the spatial phase of the matter wave interference pattern formed upon releasing the condensates from the separated potential wells. Coherent phase evolution was observed for condensates held separated by 13 $\mu$m for up to 5 ms and was controlled by applying ac Stark shift potentials to either of the two separated condensates.